A PROJECT to provide help and support to young Asian women was launched last night after securing £48,000 in lottery cash.

About 50 women attended the session, at the YMCA in Clarence Street, Blackburn, to formally launch the town's new Young Asian Women's Forum.

The forum has already attracted funding for three years from the Lottery's Community Fund which has paid for a dedicated room and two part-time staff.

YMCA manager Ian Saddler said: "This will be a forum where young women can discuss cultural issues and we hope it can help build people's confidence.

"Some outreach work has already be done and we know a lot of people are interested in what's going on. It's certainly something that's badly needed in this area."